[maikafanawen]

Ihwesta watched skeptically as Arië shot the rope to the other side of the river and walked warily across, not twelve inches above the water. She adjusted the rope so that it was taught and more secure for the others to follow. Eruwen fastened her pack and bow so that they wouldn't swing and throw her off balance as she went over. There didn't seem to be a problem with any of it but the tracker was still a bit nervous.

"Alright Gil, you next," said Taruewen. The noble elf looked nervously at the bridge and shook his head.

"No, uh, no thanks, I'll go last if it's all the same to you." He smiled shakily.

"Fine with me!" Ainemetion said gruffly. He went next, followed by Taurëwen.

"Reynion, will you carry my things over for me?" Ihwesta asked quietly. "It'll be a bit dificult to balance them myself."

"Sure." He hung her pack around his neck, and draped her belt over his shoulder. Then he crossed.

Ceros stayed behind to help Ihwesta. "Ready?" asked Ceros. The tracker nodded. Then, with Ceros walking before her, and Gil coming up behind, she started across the river.

It rushed menacingly beneath her, roaring lustily as though it waited for her to fall into its depths. The sound was bewitching and the fear bottled up inside her as she went slowly across. Her eyes were glued to her feet, spotting so that they stayed on the rope. The water splashed up, dampening her and the rope she walked on. She looked into the water, hoping to see a reassuring reflection, but the white foam that curled on the surface before being sucked beneath by the current.

They were nearly half way across when the tree came.

Spiraling out of control and being tossed in the water it shot from behind the bend towards the trio who crossed the makeshift bridge. All heads shot in the direction of the coming danger too late. The colossal wood hit the rope with such an impact that it snapped them forward and the three elves were thrown into the rushing water. Ihwesta went under fast, the river trying to push her down. She finally got her head above water.

"Ceros!" she screamed, taking in a mouthful of water

"Don't yell Ihwesta, I'm right here." Ihwesta felt, Ceros's left arm encircle her waist, helping to keep her above the water as it tried to drag them downstream, his right hand holding onto the rope suspended still above them.

"Gilbereth!" he yelled long and loud. "Gilbereth!" There was no audible answer over the thunder of the river. Ihwesta tried to relax, taking in deep breaths of fresh air as she fought to keep her head above the water. Then she saw Gilbereth. He had popped up ten yards behind them before being carried away again by the current out of sight.

Reynion had made his way across the rope again and began to help Ceros and Ihwesta up. They were both relatively unharmed and taken to the others.

"Alright," Ceros began, "we've got to get to Gilbereth."

[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]